Erlestoke Manor & Sir Keith Park Farewell

Erlestoke Manor & Sir Keith Park Farewell

With Sir Keith Park leaving us at the end of the year for pastures new, and Erlestoke Manor retiring from service after 10 years for overhaul, we thought we'd give them a proper send off!

Erlestoke Manor returned to steam in 2008 to haul the Railway's re-opening special following the devastating storms of 2007. Since then, it has clocked 100,000 miles in preservation and carried the Olympic Torch and HRH Princess Anne. No. 7812's ticket runs out on December 31st, with the overhaul beginning in 2018.

Sir Keith Park joined the Railway's fleet in 2012 following overhaul, and steamed for the first time in preservation on our tracks. 'Skip', as it's affectionately known, has seen some memorable moments, including; the Steam and Morgan car
challenge in October 2012, and the inauguration ceremony of the loco in August
2013, which involved a most memorable flypast from a Spitfire and Hurricane at
Bridgnorth. The
agreement for operating the locomotive with Southern Locomotives Limited has a break clause
every two years, with the next renewal date at the end of 2017. We have
mutually agreed that the option to renew will not be actioned
at the end of this year, with 'SKP' moving to the Swanage Railway for
the rest
of the locomotive's certificate.

To say goodbye to the locomotives, they will operate during the Festive Season service. Subject to availability, Erlestoke Manor is planned to be in steam on December 30th & 31st, with Sir Keith Park hauling services on January 1st & 2nd. Further details will be available shortly...